As soon as I'm claiming it's back, then comes the Cleveland International Film Festival. Some great stuff piling up here… startin off with Bowerbirds' Tuck the Darkness (who just announced a show at the Beachland on June 12th). Next up is Islands' Hallways and finishing up with an equally strange video for Bon Iver's Towers. Though I think the bonus this week takes the cake on strange.
Bonus video for Materials by Nicholas Jaar.
Great video of Ryan Adams & Laura Marling for this Sunday morning!
Watch: Laura Marling and Ryan Adams perform ‘Oh My Sweet Carolina’ by Lauren Down
Having been sent her record while working on Ashes & Fire, Ryan Adams appeared on Live From Abbey Road earlier this week with Laura Marling to perform the stunning Heartbreaker classic ‘Oh My Sweet Carolina.’ Marling’s delicate plaintive backing vocals take the place of Emmylou Harris’ voice, which originally appeared on the record when it was released in the year 2000.
(From... Watch: Laura Marling and Ryan Adams perform ‘Oh My Sweet Carolina’ | The Line Of Best Fit)
Having already seen Caveman this year, I couldn't be happier to have them coming back to the Beachland Tavern ($10)! Their previous show was at the Happy Dog, which I don't think did these guys justice. Since that performance, I've continued to like these guys more and more.
Here's a live video and an official video to show you why:
Opening are Hollis Brown and our own hyper-prolific Gomez Addams.
And this one's all "ladies." New Marina & the Diamonds!!! One of my most anticipated releases of April. Next up is Grimes captivating video for Oblivion, and it's not just because of all the shirtless guys. Finally, I wasn't too thrilled about what I first heard coming from Santigold, but this new video is pretty sweet. Stick around for a pretty amazing video bonus.
This SSION album really is amazing. While I'd like to say this video wasn't expected, the album art kinda tipped me off. Take a chance.
I'm not going, but I think I'll be missing out based on some reviews I've been seeing. Particularly this Billboard review. Though I'd still have a hard time paying the minimum of $40 to see our once local Black Keys... Anyone going?
Black Keys, Arena Rock Band: Live Review | Billboard.com
The Keys' move to arenas was greeted with expected concern and skepticism from longtime fans recalling basement and small club gigs, but Auerbach and Carney are taking the plunge without losing what got them there. The music, of course, has always been capable of filling large spaces, and is even more so now thanks to more ambitious arrangements and the presence of two backing musicians to muscle up the sound. But the fun of the 21-song, 85-minute show was watching the Keys play with that size and ultimately using it to complement rather than compromise its garage-y blues-rock aesthetic.
(Continued... Black Keys, Arena Rock Band: Live Review | Billboard.com)
I had a feeling about this show and boy was I right. There was something catching my attention about Yellow Ostrich from the beginning, though I wish I had more time with their new album prior to this show. It's going to end up where I keep listening to these guys, liking them more & more, then really wishing I could see them again. Hopefully I don't have to wait for another album to do so.
Opening was Cleveland's How to Breath Under Water. This was my first chance seeing this local, all-female band - which I found particularly exciting. I can't say I was blown away, but I would totally encourage these ladies to keep it up. 1, 2, 3 was up next and I particularly enjoyed them. Pretty straight-up rock, though I particularly liked the lead singer's voice, sounding similar to that of Tallest Man on Earth (I just love stand-out voices). They also had a real genuine quality that kind of reminded me of Poison Control Center, though with a little less crazy (I mean that in a good way, all around).
Yellow Ostrich really changed up the lighting and just went to town. Again, another voice right up my alley… Here's my favorite track from their new album:
They continued on what seemed like way too short of a set - but that's always how it goes on a really good show. Here's a clip from my first favorite track of theirs:
And finally some photos… I'm still just a bit speechless as to how much I enjoyed this band.
This unseasonably warm weather was met today with the discovery of a new Xavier Rudd track. A heavenly mix. This guy just oozes summer & sun.
No word on a full album release, but you'll hear about it here when it does happen.
Yellow Ostrich's The Mistress hit my radar some time ago, though I only had one MP3 for the longest time. I've finally picked up the full album (via eMusic) and I've been listening to a stream of the yet-to-be released album Strange Land over at PASTE.
Feel free to listen here:
I am *loving* it. "Strange Land retains Schaaf's sweet, boyish voice and bracingly open-hearted songwriting, but adds a hard- won urban edge: brawny bass and busy, prominent drums, triumphal horns, and plenty of raw, overdriven guitar. As the album transitions from wistful but supercharged pop to new musical realms, it's as if you're hearing the transition the band itself made, from self-contained solo unit to a collaborative trio of outstanding musicians. Schaaf has a degree in music, and there's plenty of his gorgeous stacked harmonies here, but this time Natchez's horns occasionally take on that role, and it's all animated by Tapper's hip-shaking syncopations."
Opening are the unfortunately named 1, 2, 3, and Cleveland's own How to Breathe Under Water. Here's a pretty sweet video by the former (with even more here).
It's that time of year! I can't wait until that other time of year… :-)
Pitchfork Festival Announces Dates, Initial Lineup | News | Pitchfork
It's the end of February-- time to get psyched for summer! The Pitchfork Music Festival will return to Chicago's Union Park July 13-15.
Vampire Weekend, Feist, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Hot Chip, AraabMUZIK, A$AP Rocky, the Field, Liturgy, Kendrick Lamar, Grimes, Cloud Nothings, Tim Hecker, and Willis Earl Beal will all join us in Union Park! And that's only the beginning-- over 30 additional acts will be announced.
Tickets go on sale Friday, March 9 at 12 pm Central Time at the Pitchfork Music Festival website. We're pleased to note that ticket prices will not be raised this year. Individual day tickets will cost $45, with a limited number of three-day passes available for $110 each.
(Continued... Pitchfork Festival Announces Dates, Initial Lineup | News | Pitchfork)
This is a treat I don't get very often - getting to see a great performance and then getting to see it again (in the same area) just two weeks later. Meshell Ndegeocello proved that her new stuff is not fluke at the Rock Hall two weeks ago, so I couldn't imagine a better follow-up than seeing her perform at Finney Chapel in Oberlin, OH. I've seen several shows there now and if there's one thing that stands out (even more than it being in a church) is how good the sound is. Meshell had a rock solid performance. Once again there was little banter with the audience, but with a sound like this, who cares.
Of course it was just a tame and dark crowd, I didn't get any good shots (just like last time).
It's easy to get my friends to go to pop shows, but I usually end up going to folk-type shows by myself. I thought this was going to be another one of those nights, but I was actually able to get my 3 friends from the Tennis show the night before to join me at the Beachland Tavern! Thankfully, a much earlier night. It was also a reacquaintance with performers I hadn't seen in some time.
Opening was Brent Kirby - a local legend. Well, maybe not a legend, but he's still really talented. I saw him a LONG time ago and it was fun to touch base again. I'd have to say much improved since 2005. As prolific as his is in the area, I'm looking forward to catching him again.
Eilen Jewell was next - and I just now pinpointed when I saw her last, at a Black Swam Arts Festival in 2008. I liked her before, but this time I fell in love. She was so entertaining and Eilen was casual and engaging on stage. Her sound was great, plenty of sad songs as the bluegrass / blues genre requires, but also some soul that kept it lively. I can't wait to see her again.
This Tennis show was one of those unfortunately late mid-week shows. With three openers, and not even starting until 10:00pm, we didn't end up staying for the whole thing. It was still a good show and worth checking out. A great pop sensibility, with their second release Young & Old being a much better album than their first.
This is one of those moments of "serendipity." :-) Mord Fustang was supposed to be performing at the House of Blues, but canceled at the last moment (weather I believe). Whatta disappointment. The group of us planning to go (and to dance) still met up over at ABC Tavern for some drinks. It was there that I saw a tweet from Cumulus Entertainment that they were still going be hosting a late, free DJ party at the Grog Shop. We all thought - sure! After a quick stop through the Great Lakes Brewery, we were off...
Free it was, and it drew quite a crowd. Interesting as this wasn't even listed on the Grog Shop website. Still, I wasn't sure which DJ's were who (and I didn't recognize any of their names anyway). But it was a serious dance party. So much so, that I didn't even stop dancing to grab some video:
We unfortunately had to leave the Brite Winter Festival a little early so we could head over to the Beachland Tavern to catch the Twin Sister show… and just let me just point out again the beauty of being able to do two awesome things in one night in this city.
Anyway, we caught some of Ava Luna as an opener. A very eclectic band that had some real funk flavor… actually reminding me of my Sonia Dada days. Fun.
Twin Sister came on stage, to a packed audience. Their dreamy, indie pop sound resonated so well with that night. I'll admit I was originally on the fence until I really spent some time listening to their new release, then I was sold. The crowd was into in, me included.
More photos:
Brite Winter Festival returned this year, with a vengeance (unlike winter itself). While I had a blast at last year's location (Hart Crane Park), bringing it up to Ohio City was a brilliant move. More urban, more choice, more fun. This year felt like there were a bazillion things happening at dozens of locations. Though like last year, there was a main outside stage / fire pit area. Outside games, art installations and performance art. Though as you know, I went right for the stage.
After a great performance at the Bears show a few weeks ago - I wanted to catch Lighthouse & the Whaler again. They've improved tremendously, and with a new album coming out, I can't wait to see where they go (was having a flash back to Modern Electric from the year before).
Next we ran over to Bon Bon Cafe to meet a friend who was watching Jack & the Bear. I couldn't imagine a cooler place to be at that moment.
Finally we ran back over to the main stage to catch some Bad Veins before our second stop of the evening. Oh, and there were fire… twirlers?
If you haven't already heard me raving about the new Meshell Ndegeocello album in person, let me do so here. omg. I guess I've been keeping loose tabs on her career, picking up an occasional album here and there, but this by far has been as the strongest and most appealing - which it could hurt being produced by Joe Henry. Granted, I'm a little older and this sound is a little more mature - but the shit is tight!
Getting a chance to see her perform at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was a treat too - which I think this was actually my FIRST show *inside* the Rock Hall (guerrilla photography only). Meshell definitely presented a protective, exterior shell on stage, but from that came a sweet and smooth groove. She played primarily from her new release "Weather" (which I was thrilled about).
Do yourself a favor and pick it up for yourself.
Man, time is flying… where did this "winter" go? This Bears show was really a "who's who" of local bands, starting with the quickly emerging Lighthouse & the Whaler. Then followed by the ever-charming Afternoon Naps. Finally headlong with the re-establishment of former (and future?) local wonders, the Bears. All good stuff.
